Endoscopic findings can predict the efficacy of leukocytapheresis for steroid-naive patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic usefulness of leukocytapheresis (LCAP; Cellsoba) in steroid-naive patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC)

Efficiency of transcription and translation of cell-free protein synthesis systems in cell-sized lipid vesicles with changing lipid composition determined by fluorescence measurements

Abstract To develop artificial cell models that mimic living cells, cell-sized lipid vesicles encapsulating cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems are useful for protein expressions or artificial gene circuits for vesicle–vesicle communications. Therefore, investigating the transcriptional and translational properties of CFPS systems in lipid vesicles is important for maximizing the synthesis and functions of proteins. Although transcription and translation using CFPS systems inside lipid vesicles are more important than that outside lipid vesicles, the former processes are not investigated by changing the lipid composition of lipid vesicles. Herein, we investigated changes in transcription and translation using CFPS systems inside giant lipid vesicles (approximately 5–20 μm in diameter) caused by changing the lipid composition of lipid vesicles containing neutral, positively, and negatively charged lipids. After incubating for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h, the transcriptional and translational activities in these lipid vesicles were determined by detecting the fluorescence intensities of the fluorogenic RNA aptamer on the 3′-untranslated region of mRNA (transcription) and the fluorescent protein sfCherry (translation), respectively. The results revealed that transcriptional and translational activities in a lipid vesicle containing positively charged lipids were high when the protein was synthesized using the CFPS system inside the lipid vesicle. Thus, the present study provides an experimental basis for constructing complex artificial cell models using bottom-up approaches

IgG4-related skin lesions in a patient with IgG4-related chronic sclerosing dacryoadenitis and sialoadenitis

We describe a 60-year-old man with IgG4-related chronic sclerosing dacryoadenitis and sialoadenitis associated with lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltration in erythematous nodules. Physical examination revealed left eye extrusion and small itchy nodules on the scalp and neck. The serum IgG level was 1,570 mg/dL, IgG4 463 mg/dL (29.5%), and IgE 4,554 IU/mL. Lacrimal gland biopsy disclosed prominent infiltrates of IgG4-positive plasma cells and scattered eosinophilic infiltrates with fibrosis, consistent with IgG4-related disease. A skin biopsy of a cutaneous nodule demonstrated that the infiltrated plasma cells around arterioles or venules in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue were strongly positive for IgG4. Although the swollen lacrimal and parotid gland and itchy subcutaneous erythematous nodules improved rapidly with oral prednisolone at a dose of 20 mg per day, the skin, lacrimal, and parotid lesions deteriorated simultaneously during steroid tapering and improved after increasing the dosage. As skin lesions are easy to biopsy, further study of the skin manifestations of IgG4-related disease will be important in further clarifying the clinical spectrum, pathophysiology and response to therapy of this disorder. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine